The chief of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has confirmed that India is developing the Rudram-4 Long-Range Air-to-Surface Missile (ALSM). Operating at hypersonic speeds, this missile will enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF), making it extraordinarily difficult for enemies to intercept due to its speed and maneuverability.
The Rudram Series: A Leap in Air-to-Surface Warfare
The Rudram series, meaning "the eradicator of sorrows" in Sanskrit, is developed by DRDO to destroy enemy air defenses and critical ground targets. This series includes...
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Rudram-1:
A supersonic anti-radiation missile (ARM) with a range up to 200 kilometers, successfully tested in 2020 and integrated with IAF's Su-30 MKI jets. It is being prepared for serial production.
Rudram-2:
A hypersonic missile with a range of 300 kilometers, featuring anti-radiation and ground-attack variants. Successfully tested from a Su-30 MKI in May 2024, it validated its propulsion, control, and guidance systems. Its Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker aids in precise targeting of diverse threats.
Source: aajtak
Rudram-3:
A two-stage hypersonic missile with a range of 550 kilometers, designed for deep strikes. Featuring booster stages and dual-pulse motors, it has 16 control surfaces, making it highly maneuverable. Currently under development, it will surpass the speed and payload of the airborne BrahMos.
Rudram-4: A Game Changer in Hypersonic Technology
According to DRDO's chief, Rudram-4 will be a Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW) with a range exceeding 300 kilometers, potentially surpassing Rudram-3's 550-kilometer range. Lighter than other missiles in the series, it will be deployable on multiple IAF platforms like Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, and Rafale.
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Its hypersonic speed of over 6,790 kilometers per hour helps it evade radar and interceptors, challenging even advanced air defense systems with its speed and maneuverability.
Key Features of Rudram-4 Include...
Hypersonic Speed: Exceeding Mach 5 in terminal phase, eluding enemy radar and interceptors.
Precision Guidance: Featuring advanced INS-GPS navigation and IIR or passive homing heads, it accurately targets command centers, radar installations, and fortified bunkers.
Lightweight Design: Lighter compared to Rudram-3's 600-700 kg, allowing for greater payload flexibility and integration with various aircraft.
Quasi-Ballistic Trajectory: Low-altitude, maneuverable flight paths bypass air defense radar arcs, similar to Russia's Kinzhal missile.
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DRDO's chief emphasized that Rudram-4's hypersonic capabilities will act as a "force multiplier" for the IAF, enabling deep strikes. It's particularly significant for targeting enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and crucial infrastructure along contested borders.
Source: aajtak
Strategic Context and Regional Impact
The development of Rudram-4 occurs amidst regional tensions, especially with China and Pakistan. The Rudram series is designed to counter and neutralize increasing air defense systems and fortifications along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) and LoC (Line of Control).
The missiles' ability to destroy radar stations, communication hubs, and bunkers supports SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) and DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defense) missions, allowing IAF aircraft to operate freely in enemy airspace.
Rudram-4's hypersonic speed and extended range directly challenge systems like China's HQ-9 and Pakistan's HQ-16 SAM systems. Its lightweight design and adaptability to multiple platforms enhance the IAF's operational flexibility. It can target high-value assets deep within enemy territory.
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The missile's quasi-ballistic trajectory and high maneuverability make interception by systems like China's S-400s in Tibet increasingly complex. This development also responds to regional advancements in hypersonic technology.
China and Russia have deployed hypersonic missiles like the DF-17 and Kinzhal, while Pakistan relies on systems like the CM-400AKG supplied by China. With Rudram-4's development, India aims to maintain strategic parity and bolster long-range capabilities to deter aggression.
